README/FAQ: How the Timelines and Scenarios forum works

[Ian the Admin]

This forum is intended to showcase longer, more developed alternate history scenarios. Especially those that are "finished" or no longer actively discussed, so they don't get lost in the Discussion forum.

Debates about the timelines shouldn't take place here - thread creators can post a link to a Discussion forum thread for debate, so that it doesn't happen in the middle of posting more parts of a timeline. Preferably, put the link at the top of your first post. (If you forget to do this, ask a mod to put the link into your post).

Each scenario must be at least 2000 words. So when you start a thread, the first post must be at least 2000 words.

All new threads are moderated - threads don't show up until they're approved by the moderator. Mods check if it's long enough, belongs in this forum, and so on. ASB scenarios are allowed if they're internally consistent (mods have some discretion).

Current moderators are: Chris, MBarry, Othniel.

How to move yout scenario from the Discussion forum:

Threads will not be moved from Discussion, you need to repost the scenario here (cut and paste it into a new thread here). It's nice to include a link to the original thread, but don't put *just* a link.

Multiple posts/threads:

Each scenario must stay in *one thread*, don't start new threads to add to the same scenario. Either add another post to the original thread, or PM a mod to paste it into the end of your original post.

Editing posts:

If you want to edit the initial post of your scenario, PM the new version of the *entire post* to a mod.

200,000 character limit:

There is currently a 200,000 character per post limit on this board. So, really long scenarios may be unable to fit in one post. Put as much as you can into the first post of your new thread. Once it is approved, add the rest in more posts.

Posting scenarios not written by you:

Only in very limited cases should you post a scenario that you yourself did not write.

1. You have the explicit permission of the original author.
2. You are the editor of the website/ezine in which it originally appeared.
3. It was originally posted to one of the alternatehistory.com Discussion forums.

Warning on Prose/Short stories:

The reason the Writer's Forum exists is so that you can post a story that can only be read by members. If you post it here, it can be read by the general public, so that is considered a form of *publication*. Do not do that if you ever plan on trying to sell the story.

[Darkest]

Question, just to see if I get this.

If you want to add another update to your timeline, you just post a reply to your timeline thread in this forum? Or do you have to PM a moderator to post the reply for you?

Thank you,
Darkest90

[Diamond]

"On topic" means:

1. It's not something which would belong in the ASB forum.

So does this mean my Washington's Warlocks timeline wouldn't be allowed? :(
That doesn't seem right...

[G.Bone]

Another question: How would you move this: http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=11552&page=9 to here?

(This is obviously one of the old threads back in the day and so I was wondering if I could revive an oldie but goodie here)

[Othniel]

Old? That was just in April!

[G.Bone]

Yes - and that's several months back!

I would drudge up other TL's - such as the Third Hittite Empire - but alas, I do not have the link.

DoD would work here as well as Prince of Peace....and Answers for Milinda. (sp?)

[Ian the Admin]

Another question: How would you move this: http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=11552&page=9 to here?


See above:


How to move stuff from Discussion:

If you have a scenario in Discussion that you believe has become well developed enough to merit an entry in Timelines and Scenarios, basically just paste it into a post of at least 2000 words, and create a new thread in Timelines and Scenarios. Threads will not be moved from Discussion. You can put a link to the original Discussion thread in your post.

[Ian the Admin]

Modified the description that ASB stuff and short stories/fiction are OK, with two caveats. ASB stuff should be internally consistent (mods need to use some judgement there), and if you ever plan on trying to sell a story don't post it anywhere except the Writer's Forum.

[Pendragon]

Okay, I have a question. Are we (as fans) allowed to post replies in a timeline. Or is this forum just for completed, or close to completed timeliens without any of the bagge that the other forums have. I'm not really clear on that.

[Diamond]

The way I understood it is, the original thread will still remain in the other forums for comments, rough-drafting, whatever. Then the polished product goes here.

[Othniel]

Anything the writer feels is important to the timeline goes here. If there is no discussion thread the fan could make one, therorically. All and all I believe that every writter should be linked to a thread outside of this forum for discussion and polishing.

[Ian the Admin]

I just added a note to the FAQ saying that debates about a TL should take place in Discussion, not here. If you want people to easily discuss your TL, put a link to a Discussion thread at the top of your first post. Or, if you forget, ask a mod to put one in for you.

[DominusNovus]

I just wanted to mention that I'd prefer to hold off on putting any of my (few) timelines up here, in case anyone was dying to see them. :rolleyes:

The Roman Timeline and Saeculorum Romanorum are just different drafts of the same concept. And, as a teaser, I'm working on a new draft. :cool:
But, if you guys would like to see them here, I've no objections to it, I just would think that it'd be best to have just the latest draft (whenever it gets done).

As for the March of Days Yet Born, would you believe I actually haven't hit the 2000 word mark? It makes sense though, cuz its pretty bare bones in the actual timeline.

[Darkest]

Compare each update of the MoDYB with Earth Ascendant. They are quite complete opposites when it comes to length. I probably have 2000 words just with two years. :rolleyes:

The thing is, DN is having much more fun than I have; I can't wait until I break free from the current age and am able to create as I wish without people clawing out my guts because of imperfection.

[Justin Pickard]

Could we have a stickyed index thread with links to the timelines, and information about the point of divergence, time span covered, format, author etc. etc. ?

[Othniel]

Could we have a stickyed index thread with links to the timelines, and information about the point of divergence, time span covered, format, author etc. etc. ?If you want to write it up I'll approve it for you...and sticky it.

[Justin Pickard]

If you want to write it up I'll approve it for you...and sticky it.

Right ho, I'll work on that tommorow then... :)

[Matt]

Quick note would be posters in this forum:

I'm rejecting alot of posts. Not that they're is anything wrong with it, it's just not devolped. Bring some more substainal information, or flesh out the timeline, then we're good to go.

[Syphon]

Matt

I'm thinking of sending my Aurora Australia here

Do I just have to PM you or one of the other mod the word doc

In its current font its 84 pages or 57551 words 277000 unspaced characters or 334000 spaced:eek:

[Othniel]

Matt

I'm thinking of sending my Aurora Australia here

Do I just have to PM you or one of the other mod the word doc

In its current font its 84 pages or 57551 words 277000 unspaced characters or 334000 spaced:eek:
Just post up to 200,000 charcters worth in this forum, and I'll have Matt read and approve it. (Its his turn this week..;) :p ) After that you can post the rest.

[Matt]

Just post up to 200,000 charcters worth in this forum, and I'll have Matt read and approve it. (Its his turn this week..;) :p ) After that you can post the rest.

Hey! I did it last week.

Seriously though, I've followed the thread actively, so it should be no probelm.

[Syphon]

Well I posted up till 1940 here a few hours ago I don't know how long you mod's take to laugh at all the glaring errors in the TL and then approve it for this forum.:D

Ps I tried to post a ling to the discussion but I thing I did it wrong.

If I have please inscert the link

http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=3384

Thanks

[Syphon]

Hi I've been reading through my TL and it appears that there are a lot of spelling errors later in the TL.

I have been investigating this and it appears the the spell checker that I was using in open office wasn't working.:mad: :mad: :mad: :o

So after I have finished checking the whole TL in word format how can I get certain segments deleted so that I can place revised segment here with the correct spellings.

God I hate technology:mad:

[Max Sinister]

Hi folks,

I don't want to nag, but last week I wanted to post my scenario "1941: Hitler tries the Mediterranean strategy" here, and it's still not up. Did I post it in the wrong way, or do you have to check that many scenarios (could be, after all) that my scenario won't show up before, say, Easter?

Just wanted to ask. TIA.

[Tyr]

How can you tell the status of your submission?
I'm still waiting for mine to appear so I can start adding the TL...

[Othniel]

I'm going to have to delete a history of Austriallia, it falls well below the word limit, but I don't have time right now...

[Tyr]

I'm going to have to delete a history of Austriallia, it falls well below the word limit, but I don't have time right now...

What?
I've seen ones shorter then it.
Plus its a work in progress.

[seraphim74]

Can I post here a timeline based on someone else's idea, but much longer?
Something like continuation of small AH novel or story?

[rowmaster]

I posted a Story The Importance of Nitrogen, about and Alternate WWI that never got posted was something wrong with it?

[Matt]

Oh sorry, it's getting near the end of the semester so I've been a little distracted, so I haven't checked it. Taking a quick look, I'd say it's probably too short. Also it needs formatting improvements. It's one big paragraph.

Remember, this is the place to show case a nearly finished product. I'm going to go through the forum during this week, and clean up all discussion, and make sure eveything is up to standards.

[Nicole]

I recently posted something as well...

[Nicole]

We should really have a policy where people are at least informed why their TLs are rejected...

[Max Sinister]

I second that.

[Matt]

We should really have a policy where people are at least informed why their TLs are rejected...


When I reject something, I always PM the author.

[Othniel]

So do I..:) Unfortunately I'm a little worried with some of the stuff leaking through...

[Matt]

I'm gonna post better guidelines come Mon. I have drill tonight, so I can't do it before then. Anything that is approved already well get grandfathered in, but expect everything else to be more tightly controlled.

[Agentdark]

You know, I am really blind, I had no idea my TL had been approved until a few minutes ago....

[whatisinaname]

Hi I would like to put up my story in this thread, how would I do this ?
Do I just post it with a link to the disscustion thread ?
See link about story - http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=39714

Thanks :)

[Ian the Admin]

Hi I would like to put up my story in this thread, how would I do this ?
Do I just post it with a link to the disscustion thread ?
See link about story - http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=39714

Thanks :)

You create a new thread in Timelines and Scenarios and put some or all of the scenario in the first post - in accordance with the rules above. You can include a link to the discussion thread in that post.

[whatisinaname]

You create a new thread in Timelines and Scenarios and put some or all of the scenario in the first post - in accordance with the rules above. You can include a link to the discussion thread in that post.

Hi Ian the Admin

Have posted parts 1 to 10 for inspection :D

Thanks

[galanx]

Okay, If I want to revive and continue an older thread, hoping to submit it here, but I also want to make some changes in what I've already posted, what should I do?

a) rewrite and repost the thread over in the discussions forum, putting the changed ATL in a new thread.

b) just continue the original thread in discussions, but submit the changed TL here.

Or am I being totally confusing (or confused)?

[Max Sinister]

I suggest that you post your changes / retcons in the old thread, let people discuss them whether they're plausible, wait two weeks, and then start a thread here.

[WyldCard4]

Question, for when I feel that my Earth-38 profiles are complete am I aloud to post them in segments shorter than 2000 words, though the first post would be slightly longer than 2000 words for ease of linking and navigation

[whatisinaname]

Hi

I uploaded my Star War - Aftermath story here a while ago, just wondering when it will go live?

Thanks

Whatisinaname

[Jasen777]

You might want to try again. Make sure you have put the link to the original discussion thread in your first post.

[whatisinaname]

You might want to try again. Make sure you have put the link to the original discussion thread in your first post.

Hi Jasen777

Thanks for the advice.

I did this in my original post here, I will wait for one of the Moderators to respond as their could simpily be a backlog of ok story's for them to go through.

I think this happened with my other two story's that I posted here.

Whatisinaname

[Max Sinister]

@whatisinaname: Your Scenario was too short. 2000 words minimum. Read the rules, folks!

[whatisinaname]

@whatisinaname: Your Scenario was too short. 2000 words minimum. Read the rules, folks!

Hi Max Sinister

Thanks for you reponce.

I have checked what I originally posted and the number of words come to just over 3100, so I don't know what happen there!

I will re-post again, please could you let me know if there is a problem?

Thanks

Whatisinaname

[Lord Roem]

Are "world building exercises" permitted?

I would rather like to post my update to "For All Time" (link in my sig) but I'm unsure if this would be against the rules.

Sorry for the bother.

:o

[Starchilde]

Hi,

I joined your forums early this year to help me do research for a short film. The film has been finished for a while, but I've just now gotten it uploaded to youtube.com for the general public to look at. It is a complete alternate history (3 actually) but posting a link hardly qualifies as 2000 words. My question is this: should I post the links here for people to review, or in the discussion section?

I appreciate your help. Thank you!

-Starchilde

[037771]

Its been suggested to me that i post what ive written so far of my TL 'We'll Meet Again' in this forum....but do I post it on the forum and then have it approved (according to the above rules) or PM a moderator the text and then have them approve it before posting? Im right confused innit...:confused:

[dreadnought jenkins]

Its been suggested to me that i post what ive written so far of my TL 'We'll Meet Again' in this forum....but do I post it on the forum and then have it approved (according to the above rules) or PM a moderator the text and then have them approve it before posting? Im right confused innit...:confused:

Reading Ian's posts, I always assumed this is how it happened.

You start your timeline in the discussion forums.

Keep writing it in the discussion forum.

In that discussion forum, an implausible timeline will be ripped apart or reformed.

Once it's long enough, you can post it the TL section at your own discretion, but it will be subject to the moderators who might delete it if they feel that it isn't ready for the Timeline section.

I think you can post your TL here, but don't forget to link to your discussion in the OP.

[Thucydides]

dReading Ian's posts, I always assumed this is how it happened.

You start your timeline in the discussion forums.

Keep writing it in the discussion forum.

In that discussion forum, an implausible timeline will be ripped apart or reformed.

Once it's long enough, you can post it the TL section at your own discretion, but it will be subject to the moderators who might delete it if they feel that it isn't ready for the Timeline section.

I think you can post your TL here, but don't forget to link to your discussion in the OP.

I gotta say that was a lot more logical then what Ian said.

[ArKhan]

We have a setting that sort of evolved on it's own here: http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=129813
Completely unplanned, it just "happened". I started to post it here, but I'm unsure if it qualifies. Is it still good?

[Yelnoc]

I posted my timeline about a week ago. Did I do something wrong or do these things just take time?

[Max Sinister]

Sorry it took some time. I'm not that much around nowadays, and I'm the only one doing this at all.

[EdT]

Can I ask when 'Fight and Be Right' might be approved? I think I submitted it a few months ago.

Appreciate you must be busy though, so no rush...

[maverick]

I think we need a new moderator so that Max Sinister doesn't have to do everything himself.

[MNP]

I think we need a new moderator so that Max Sinister doesn't have to do everything himself.
A good idea, any nominations?

[RMcD94]

When did the title change?

[Max Sinister]

When did the title change?

Ian changed it, on my suggestion. Some newbies kept posting their TLs here, and the new title should help.

[oshron]

hey, i have a question. would i be allowed to post my ASB ATL here? it deals with many different countries and PODs (hence my personal classification of it as ASB) and its also loosely inspired by a pre-existing anime. would i be allowed to post details about each country in at least one post and then go on to something else out of order?

i just want to make sure so that i dont do anything stupid

[Color-Copycat]

I don't know if they allow ASB TLs in this subforum. From what I can see, all of the accepted entries are based on pretty plausible scenarios.

[wolf_brother]

hey, i have a question. would i be allowed to post my ASB ATL here? it deals with many different countries and PODs (hence my personal classification of it as ASB) and its also loosely inspired by a pre-existing anime. would i be allowed to post details about each country in at least one post and then go on to something else out of order?

i just want to make sure so that i dont do anything stupid

and

I don't know if they allow ASB TLs in this subforum. From what I can see, all of the accepted entries are based on pretty plausible scenarios.

Meet

Modified the description that ASB stuff and short stories/fiction are OK, with two caveats. ASB stuff should be internally consistent (mods need to use some judgement there), and if you ever plan on trying to sell a story don't post it anywhere except the Writer's Forum.

[oshron]

yeah, i know, i saw that last part about internal consistency. i just wanted to be certain cause of how different my ATL is from more traditional ASB stuff, at least as far as ive seen here

[ANARCHY_4_ALL]

Whose modding this these days. I sent rast's A Shift In Priorities in a few days ago for approval. Haven't heard or seen anything. I'm just wondering cause I have bunch more to post for it.

[Max Sinister]

It can take a bit, since I seem to be the only one who cares for this forum, and I'm not here anymore that often.

Your TL is now approved. You can post the rest of it.

[ANARCHY_4_ALL]

It can take a bit, since I seem to be the only one who cares for this forum, and I'm not here anymore that often.

Your TL is now approved. You can post the rest of it.

Thank you I see it.

[La Rouge Beret]

I have completed version one of my South Vietnam survives TL.

Can I post it in this thread?

[Pischinovski]

I submitted my timeline yesterday but saw today that Max Sinister wasn't online for three weeks and he seems to be the one who checks the timelines. So I wonder when I can expect my timeline to show up?

[Pischinovski]

Sooo... nearly two weeks later and I am still waiting

[My Username is Inigo Montoya]

Sooo... nearly two weeks later and I am still waiting
You should report this post. Or maybe write a PM to Ian...

[Bytewave]

I accidently posted a thread here called "The transformation of money in the 21st century." that was meant for the Future AH forum... but I cant find it to move it. Can it be 'found' and moved there?

[Bytewave]

I accidently posted a thread here called "The transformation of money in the 21st century." that was meant for the Future AH forum... but I cant find it to move it. Can it be 'found' and moved there?

I assume given the radio silence that its either not possible or that my thread never made it online. I'll rewrite it later, thanks.